Editor’s note: this article has been updated to include additional information about collaborators to the event as well as an updated website link.

Austin Community College’s RiverHacks hackathon will coincide with NASA’s third annual International Space App Challenge, where teams can participate in open data challenges and network with space leaders and experts.

The gist

The ACC Center for Government and Civic Services is working with several collaborators and sponsors to host the RiverHacks competition and the Austin portion of the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, Oct. 4-5 at the Rio Grande campus.

The global event encourages participants to leverage free, open data from NASA and their international space agency partners to create innovative solutions for Earth- and space-related challenges.


Open data may include:
  • Satellite imagery
  • Climate and weather records
  • Planetary data
  • Astronomical data
  • Earth observation data
Teams can choose from 18 challenges, created by NASA subject matter experts, to build solutions such as apps, data visualizations or prototypes.

A closer look

ACC’s RiverHacks event will adopt the NASA Space Apps Challenge categories.

The theme of this year’s challenges is “Learn, Launch, Lead,” with a focus on participant growth, community leadership and innovative solutions. According to NASA’s website, the theme encourages participants to:
  • Learn new skills in STEM
  • Launch bold ideas from open data into actionable tools
  • Lead one’s community through innovation and discovery
Teams at the RiverHacks event must include at least two high school students, but anyone in the community is welcome to participate.


Also of note

This year's collaborators and sponsors include:The RiverHacks winners will receive $500-$3,000, depending on how they placed. “Hackers” can also opt in to the NASA Space Apps Top 3 for global recognition and be considered for the Bold Innovation in Search & AI Award for up to $5,000.

What they’re saying

“Bringing Space Apps together with RiverHacks embodies the spirit of the Center for Government and Civic Services and its mission to enable our current and future students to be impactful civic leaders, a goal that requires a strong grasp of technology fundamentals,” Stefano Casafranca, strategic planner at the Center for Government and Civic Services, said in a news release.


Looking ahead

Interested persons can register online or in person Oct. 4. Individuals without a team will be grouped at the event.